WORTH A LOOK

UCLA coach whose dad, Jim E. Mora, was an NFL head coach. The coaching pedigree, the gift of gab, the enthusiasm for football — all were evident when he was a Chargers defensive assistant (quality control, then secondary) from 1985-91. Mora the younger helmed the Falcons for three years (2004-06) and later the Seahawks (2009). If Mora is open to returning to the NFL, Dean Spanos probably could hire him without paying top scale. His first Falcons team won the NFC South with an 11-5 mark. Was fired after the next two went 15-17. He lasted one year in Seattle.

Andy Reid

Odds: 13 to 1

Not an inspiring nominee, to be sure, given the ragged play of his Philadelphia Eagles the past two years. But in fairness to Reid, the so-called dream team was an assemblage of miscast talents. Reid led the Eagles to four consecutive NFC title games (2001-04). The Eagles reached the Super Bowl in 2004. Reid said he will continue to coach; however, it’s not unfair to question whether he’d need time off. In August, his son, Garrett, was found dead from an accidental heroin overdose.

Mike Holmgren

Odds: 18 to 1

He’s 64 and hasn’t coached since 2008, his final season with the Seahawks. For the past three years, he was the president of the Browns before being replaced by the Browns’ new owner. He said he’d like to return to coaching and has roots in California. He coached the Packers to consecutive Super Bowls in 1996 and 1997, winning one of the two, and took the Seahawks to their lone Super Bowl in 2005. In 17 years, his teams won 59 percent of their games.

Mike Riley

Odds: 22 to 1

Been there, done that, but without Ryan Leaf around to sabotage the Bolts, Riley Redux’s chances would go up. Was 14-34 as Bolts head coach from 1999-2001. Directed Oregon State to a 9-3 record this year. Loves living and working in Corvallis, Ore., where he quarterbacked his high school team to state title games in 1969 and 1970. Has guided Oregon State to an 81-66 record in two tours sandwiching his three years coaching the Chargers. Played defensive back for legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant. Turned down chance to coach Alabama in 2002 after Dennis Franchione left for Texas A&M.

Jon Gruden

Odds: 35 to 1

Raised the Lombardi Trophy in San Diego, and if that’s not enough to excite Dean Spanos, what will it take? A perpetual golden boy. Was 39 when his Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII 10 years ago at Qualcomm Stadium, beating the Raiders, who’d traded him to Tampa for a raft of draft picks and $8 million. Is a rock star at ESPN, which would hate to lose him as its Monday Night Football analyst. Would cost Spanos enough money to make even a “one-percenter” cringe. Bucs fired him in January 2009 after his defense collapsed in a winless December. With the Raiders, he compiled a 38-26 record (.594) in four years, including two AFC West winners.